Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1363 - 1359: Exquisite Wonders

Chu Zhiyuan let out a quiet sigh in his heart. If Li Hongzhao, fully prepared and poised to seize the Phoenix Divine Blood and achieve an unscathed retreat into the Spirit Venerable realm, were to succeed, she might indeed surpass him even quicker. Such is the inherent power of bloodlines. Even with his unparalleled luck, a constant stream of fortuitous encounters, astonishing comprehension, and exceptional aptitude, his cultivation speed still falls short when compared to the Phoenix Bloodline. Li Hongzhao offered a smile, asking, "Shall we test my Phoenix Divine Palm?" "Bring it on," Chu Zhiyuan responded. Li Hongzhao gracefully set down her teacup, drifting from the small pavilion like a descending crimson cloud. Assuming an elegant posture in the open space, the phoenix eyes of Li Hongzhao gradually intensified. Above her head, the Void began to warp and twist. Suddenly, a magnificent Seven-Colored Phoenix materialized, its immense form towering over them both, radiating a dazzling radiance. It hovered silently, its gaze fixed upon Chu Zhiyuan with an icy stare. The expression within Li Hongzhao’s phoenix eyes began to mirror the cold, unwavering gaze of the Seven-Colored Phoenix. A shiver ran down Chu Zhiyuan's spine. In this altered state, Li Hongzhao seemed to have become one with the Seven-Colored Phoenix, devoid of human emotion, displaying only supreme aloofness and an air of condescension. The world, as perceived in this state, contained only absolute supremacy, with all others relegated to the status of mere servants. In a flash of crimson, Li Hongzhao was instantly before him, her palm thrusting towards his chest. This hand, like exquisite Mutton Fat Jade adorned with a touch of rouge, possessed a White Jade base with a subtle crimson hue visible on the surface. Chu Zhiyuan let out a soft chuckle. Before her palm's full force could manifest, he retaliated with his own hand. His palm moved with incredible speed, slightly outpacing Li Hongzhao's, intercepting her strike and colliding directly with her jade-like hand. The impact of their palms produced a dull thud. A torrent of fierce wind erupted, causing the surrounding garden flowers to sway violently as if caught in a tempest. A pure, potent stream of magma surged forth, entering through the Lao Gong Acupoint and appearing within the Jade Sea and Sky. Chu Zhiyuan unleashed a peculiar power harbored within his Jade Sea and Sky. With a sharp "Bang!" Li Hongzhao was propelled backward. Just as she was about to collide with the wall, she abruptly twisted her body. The Seven-Colored Phoenix, hovering overhead, suddenly unfurled its wings. She contorted in mid-air, executing a graceful rebound before launching herself back towards Chu Zhiyuan. Her jade-like palm, wreathed in a red luminescence, transformed in the air into the image of a phoenix. The palm-sized Seven-Colored Phoenix then darted towards Chu Zhiyuan. Chu Zhiyuan extended his palm to intercept it. With a soft "Pop!" like a small pebble dropped into a deep well, the miniature Seven-Colored Phoenix landed squarely in Chu Zhiyuan’s palm. It silently entered his hand with a crisp sound, and then stillness returned. Chu Zhiyuan’s hand continued its forward trajectory, pressing firmly against Li Hongzhao’s jade-like palm. Another resounding "Bang!" sent Li Hongzhao flying horizontally once more. Within the Jade Sea and Sky, a Seven-Colored Phoenix Palm Seal materialized, then ascended towards the heavens. Its target was the crimson sun hanging in the sky. The sun, though appearing impossibly distant, did not seem so far as the Seven-Colored Phoenix shot directly into it. It merged seamlessly within the celestial body. The red sun seemed to deepen in its hue, appearing a shade redder. Chu Zhiyuan’s spirits soared. His eyes gleamed as he watched Li Hongzhao, who had crashed against the wall, her jade-like face etched with tension. He smiled. Li Hongzhao's phoenix eyes burned with an icy intensity, mirroring the Seven-Colored Phoenix hovering above her. The Seven-Colored Phoenix beat its wings with increasing speed, radiating palpable anger. Her body trembled slightly as she shook herself free from the wall, unleashing a barrage of palm strikes. Numerous Seven-Colored Phoenix Palm Seals emerged in succession. They converged in the air, coalescing into a more brilliant Seven-Colored Phoenix. Its size remained unchanged, yet its radiance intensified, becoming blindingly bright, making direct observation impossible. The seemingly small form exuded an astonishing presence, as if a true phoenix had descended to the mortal realm, charging directly at Chu Zhiyuan. Chu Zhiyuan once again raised his left palm, lightly meeting the incoming attack. A sharp "Pop!" echoed. The wind howled fiercely. The garden flowers bowed low, their petals unable to straighten. Dust particles from the crevices of the stone slabs were lifted and carried over the wall. The two teacups resting in the small pavilion began to shift, eventually inching off the stone table. Yet, they did not fall; instead, they remained suspended above the table, orbiting it in a slow dance. Chu Zhiyuan smiled in satisfaction. This Seven-Colored Phoenix, too, entered his Jade Sea and Sky, soaring towards the crimson sun. This further deepened the sun’s redness. The effect was amplified several times compared to the previous Seven-Colored Phoenix, equivalent to several days of strenuous cultivation. He couldn't help but exclaim at his immense good fortune and unparalleled luck, having stumbled upon such a remarkable cultivation method.

He seemed to have stumbled upon a method for quickly cultivating the second level of the Heavenly Yuan Technique.

Li Hongzhao's face, as fair as jade, was etched with tension, her phoenix-like eyes gleaming like frigid stars, capable of ensnaring the soul.

The Seven-Colored Phoenix hovering above her head intensified its radiance, torrents of flame surging along its form.

The flames erupted with ferocity upon the seven-colored plumage.

Chu Zhiyuan's countenance turned grave.

This indicated the true manifestation of the Phoenix Divine Palm, signifying its utmost deployment.

A Seven-Colored Phoenix Palm Seal materialized once more.

Concurrently, the majestic Phoenix in the Void beat its wings, sending a fireball plummeting into the Seven-Colored Phoenix Palm Seal.

"Caw!"

The Seven-Colored Phoenix Palm Seal let out a piercing cry, as if imbued with life itself.

This fireball, akin to a spirit, a spark of consciousness, initiated a peculiar metamorphosis within the Seven-Colored Phoenix Palm Seal.

It became far more nimble in the air, deftly evading Chu Zhiyuan's extended left palm and targeting his chest.

Chu Zhiyuan let out a soft chuckle, sidestepping the incoming palm seal and retaliating with his right palm.

His right palm struck from behind the Seven-Colored Phoenix Palm Seal, rendering evasion impossible, and once again pierced his right palm.

"Pop!"

Again, the sound of a tiny pebble dropping into a bottomless well resounded.

The Seven-Colored Phoenix Palm Seal entered the Jade Sea and Sky, subsequently soaring once more towards the crimson sun situated above the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks.

Chu Zhiyuan's spirits were once again buoyed.

"Enough!"

Li Hongzhao's voice suddenly cut through the air, two words spoken with a chilling detachment, like the clatter of two Cold Jade Pearls.

Chu Zhiyuan retreated with a graceful drift and then laughed, "Exquisite hand skills!"

"Such utter nonsense!"

Li Hongzhao cast a dismissive glance at him.

The space above her head abruptly warped, resembling ripples on a water's surface.

The Seven-Colored Phoenix, standing as tall as two men and ablaze with brilliant flames, vanished from sight.

The haughtiness and aloofness that had resided in her phoenix eyes receded like an ebbing tide, replaced by a return to coquettishness and playful charm.

It was as though she had shed the persona of a noble, proud phoenix and reverted to that of a genuine human, reclaiming her human emotions.

Chu Zhiyuan commented, "It would be best if you used your Phoenix Divine Palm sparingly."

Li Hongzhao scrutinized him with curiosity, her phoenix eyes burning intensely, as if attempting to peer into his very soul, asking, "What kind of hand skills are these?"

"Qiankun Palm, what do you make of it?" Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, "It possesses the ability to absorb all things; no matter the force behind a palm strike, it can be dissolved."

"Qiankun Palm..." Li Hongzhao mused, nodding slowly, "A fitting name, yet I have never encountered such a technique. Does it originate from the Heaven-Reaching Sect?"

"No," Chu Zhiyuan replied, shaking his head before swiftly diverting the conversation, "How might you further enhance your hand skills?"

"It is exceedingly difficult," Li Hongzhao stated, shaking her head, "Only through persistent, repeated practice can proficiency be attained; there is naught else."

Chu Zhiyuan pondered for a moment, then inquired, "What about spiritual power?"

"Spiritual power is also influenced by one's bloodline."

"So, the crux of the matter remains the enhancement of the bloodline? The Phoenix Burning Heaven Scripture, is that correct?"

"Precisely," she confirmed.

Chu Zhiyuan remarked, "However, your Phoenix Divine Palm has proven immensely beneficial to me."

"Alas, after unleashing these few palm strikes, I have reached my limit and cannot continue to employ it," Li Hongzhao confessed, shaking her head.

Chu Zhiyuan fell into contemplation.

How could he possibly devise a strategy to induce Li Hongzhao into unleashing more Phoenix Divine Palms?

This very Phoenix Divine Palm could significantly expedite his progress in mastering the second level of the Heavenly Yuan Technique, yielding exceptional results.

Receiving a few palm strikes daily was equivalent to several days of arduous cultivation, which would undoubtedly accelerate his advancement substantially.

This was, without question, a golden opportunity.

Chu Zhiyuan mused aloud, "Perhaps I might offer you some assistance."

What if he could directly replenish her spiritual power through direct impartation?